Study kits for cardiac cath lab nurse

ertocathlabrn · Sep 24, 2006

A book titled Invasive cardiology and the cardiac cath handbook.

jobyjoz · Oct 19, 2006

All the best with your venture. I am sure you will love it. I am working in Cath Labfo r9 years and loving every minute of it. there is a site called cathlab.com. you will get lots of info and links via it. hope its helpful

cclnurse · Dec 9, 2006

Section Two- Anatomy and Procedures has good pics of diagnostic caths and the anatomy. It's probobaly going to take you a good solid year before you are comfortable with what you are doing. Figuring out all the anatomy is a challenge in and of itself. It'll come with time and experience. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask the Docs either. We are very close to our Docs and ask them questions all the time. They want you to know and understand what they are doing and WHY. I still after almost 3 years ask them how something works. Also your product reps are great sources. Ask the Boston Scientific and Cypher reps about their stents and balloons and what makes them different and or better than another. Many times they have seminars for new CCL staff to go to. Also go to their websites. (Cypher, Boston Scientific, Abbott, Kensey Nash) They usually have sections for pt's to find info about their product. And the great thing is it is in easy terms that you will feel comfortable with and won't be overwhelmed.

rw77 · Jan 10, 2007

I am very new to the cath lab as well. I just finished the role of the circulator. I'll be learning the scrubber's role next & I am scared to death. I wish I knew what I was looking at more & felt more comfortable. Everything is so foreign from what I used to do. I was a PACU nurse. I wanted to be challenged, boy did I ask for it!

Does anyone know any web sites where I could actually view angiography"s so I could view vessels & occlusions. I can't tell when there's a stent...or grafts. I know some medical sites charge a member's fee. Does anyone know of any free sites. I need help...I'm over whelmed!

jiraporn · Feb 9, 2007

I found that westodd.com is good

back2nsg · Sep 20, 2010

This thread has been helpful. I have a cathlab interview soon now I know a little on what to expect. Thanksssss!!!!

CCL RN, RN · Sep 26, 2010

I am very new to the cath lab as well. I just finished the role of the circulator. I'll be learning the scrubber's role next & I am scared to death. I wish I knew what I was looking at more & felt more comfortable. Everything is so foreign from what I used to do. I was a PACU nurse. I wanted to be challenged, boy did I ask for it!
Does anyone know any web sites where I could actually view angiography"s so I could view vessels & occlusions. I can't tell when there's a stent...or grafts. I know some medical sites charge a member's fee. Does anyone know of any free sites. I need help...I'm over whelmed!

How long did you orient to the role of circulator? Have you learned the role of the monitor? The role of the scrubber is the hardest part, and should be saved for last when you are completely oriented to the other roles (IMHO).

In my opinion the most important job that we do in the lab is to anticipate, anticipate, anticipate. So I find it odd that you aren't familiar with grafts and their locations yet and will be scrubbing soon! How long is the scrub training? I got 4 months to learn and master the circulator role before moving on to the monitor.

See if you can find the cardiac catheterization handbook by Kern. It's wonderful!